GlobalData’s voice evolution white paper, released at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, outlines how telecom operators can leverage a fully converged voice network to innovate AI-driven services. Andy Hicks, Principal Analyst at GlobalData, authored the paper titled “Reinventing Voice: A Converged, AI-Enabled, Multi-Media Voice Core for Next-Generation Wired and Wireless Communications.”
The Case for a Fully Converged Voice Network
As 5G-Advanced (5G-A) accelerates globally, network standard evolution remains uneven across markets. Some operators must maintain 2G and 3G networks to support essential services such as Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications and international roaming. Consequently, a fully converged voice network capable of handling 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G services has become a necessity for many telecommunications operators.
Containerization and Operational Cost Reduction
The white paper addresses the global shift toward containerization. A fully converged architecture facilitates a smooth transition from virtual machines to containers. Moreover, this approach allows operators to reduce operational costs while maintaining continuous service updates and rapid deployment cycles.
Three Phases of AI and Voice Integration
Hicks identifies three phases for deep integration between artificial intelligence and voice services. In the first phase, AI enhances core call quality through features such as intelligent noise suppression and spatial audio depth, giving operators a competitive edge over direct over-the-top communication applications.
In the second phase, AI is embedded within voice channels to deliver features including real-time translation and smart call summaries. These services impose no additional requirements on end-user terminals. As a result, operators can deploy them quickly to gain an early advantage in AI-based voice services.
The third phase extends AI integration into video and data channels. This enables a shift from single-media to multi-media voice innovation, supporting services such as interactive customer support, healthcare assistants, and the concept of “calls as a service.”
“Operators must seize the opportunities presented by AI. By leveraging a fully converged voice network as a foundation, operators can drive service innovation and fully renew the core value of voice services, propelled by the dual advancement of 5G-A and AI.”
Andy Hicks, Principal Analyst, GlobalData
Context and Industry Outlook
The white paper was released during MWC 2026, one of the largest annual gatherings in the telecom industry. The document positions a converged voice core as a strategic asset for operators navigating multi-generational network environments. Furthermore, it frames AI not as an optional enhancement but as a structural component of next-generation voice infrastructure. The paper argues that operators who adopt this architecture early will be better positioned to compete with over-the-top communication platforms and capture new revenue streams from AI-powered services.